Last



Aug. 25, 1925. 1,551,121

C. M. SERL LAsT original Filed April 21, 1924 2 Sheets-sheet 1 0 I NVENTR. Q ci I E61/'fm fam/ B j I ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 25,"1925 C. M. SEARL.

LAST

Original Filed April 2l, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

l my C? WZL, a

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 25, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLINTON M. SEARL, OF PORTSMOUTH, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE VULCAN LAST COM- PANY, OF PORTSMOUTH, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

LAST.

Original application led April 21, 1924, SerialI No. 707,796. Divided and this application filed November 24, 1924. Serial' No. 751,757.

To all w/Lom t may oon-cern.'

Be it known that I, CLINTON M. SEARL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portsmouth, in the co'unty of Scioto and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Lasts, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to an improvement in lasts, and is particularly directed to lasts of the divided type-that is to say, to that type of last which is divided into two parts, a toe part and a heel part, movable relatively to each other to collapsed and extended positions. The present application is a division of my application liled April 2l, 1924i, Serial No. 707,796.

It is desirable in lasts of this type that the last be capable of being easily collapsed so that it may be removed from a shoe without injury to the lining of the shoe and without stretching the shoe out of place.

ln lasting a shoe the last is held upside down-that is, with the sole side uppermost and inasmuch as a great deal of pressure is put on the toe of the last during the lasting operation, this tends to collapse the last, and consequently one of the objects of my invention is the provision of a construction in which the last is capable of withstanding the stresses to which it is subjected d'uring the lasting operation without collapsing, but may be readily collapsed by the operator when desired.

In one form of last now in extensive use, the fore part and heel part are attached to each other by a link attached to the fore part and heel part by pins so located relatively that a line drawn through their centers will fall above the axis on which the last parts move when the last is collapsed and below this point or axis when the last is extended.

ln suoli a construction, the greater the distance the pins are below the axis of the last when the last is extended, or the greater the ldistance they are above the axis of the last when the last is collapsed, the more resistance the last will oii'er to collapse or extension, but this distance is limited inasmuch as the pins must. be located in the last body itself, and in th'e case of wooden lasts the pins must be kept at an appreciable distance from the bottom or sole face owing to the danger of splitting the last when the same is in use or when being moved from extended position to collapsed position or vice versa.

In the present construction I have provided an arrangement for attaching the two last parts to each other whereby an etect is obtained which is as ethcient as the lowering of the pins in the above-outlined oonstruction to the danger point, theresistance to collapse or extension offered by my last being very materially increased, without, however7 necessitating placing of any pins at a point where they are likely to cause the last to split. v

It is one of the especial objects of my invention to provide a last in which the last parts are held together under tension and not simply held in expanded or collapsed position under tension.

It is a further object of my invention to hold the last parts together by means eniploying a lever, with the parts constantly under tension.

It is a still further object of my invention to hold the parts of the last together under tension with the parts so arranged that the tension will assume its maximum when the parts are either in their fully expanded or fully collapsed position.

It is an additional object of my invention to provide the holding together ot the parts under tension and to associate therewith a lever, the parts being so arranged that the tension will achieve its maximum at the completely expanded or collapsed position of the last parts. It will be realized that the tension may be created by a variety of means which may be very compressible or expandible, and that the details oit creating this condition are not essential.

It is a further object of my invention to provide such mechanism to hold the parts of the last together under tension that it will not be necessary to have resilient links or resilient anchor pins. Such means are eliminated and the same results are obtained.

It is a further object of my invention to provide the holding of such parts together under tension and the increasing of this tension at extreme positions together with means to lock the parts in extended position by such tension means to resist the pressure, tending to collapse the last imposed on the bottom of the toe member in constructing the shoe thereon until such tension means if overcome by the operator breaking the last.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of my invention.

Figure 2 is a similar View of a modification.

Figures 3 and 4 show other forms which my improved last may take.

Referring to Figure 1, 1 designates the heel part and 2 the toe part of a last divided as customary by an arcuate cut, as indicated at 3. The center of the cut 3 is designated 4 and will be hereinafter referred to, for clarity of expression, as the axis of the last. 5 designates a connecting or tying link, one end of which is pivotally attached to one of the last parts (the heel part 1 in the present instance) by a pin 6, shown in section, this pin, when the last is in extended or fullnline position, lying below the axis 4. The link 5 lies in the usual slots in the heel and toe parts and its other end extends into the toe part 2 where it is pivotally attached to one end of asecond link' by a pin 8. The other end of the second link 7 is pivoted to the toe part of the last by a pin 9 which lies intermediate the pins 6 and S-that is, intermediate the ends of the link The pins 6 and 9 are relatively located so that a line drawn through the centers of these pins will fall below the axis 4 of the last when the last is extended and above this axis when the last is collapsed. The toe part 2 is provided with an orifice extending vertically of the last, in which is inserted a spring 1l, this spring engaging the forward end of the link 5 at its point of pivotal connection to the second link 7. The spring 11 is held under compression between the forward end of the link 5 and a pin 12, the latter extending transversely of the last.

It will be seen, therefore, that the two last parts are pivotally attached to each other by a system of links attached to the two last parts at points below the axis of the last when the last is extended, this arrangement being such, however, that one point of attachment of this linkage to the last is intermediate the ends of one of the links.

With the parts in the position shown in y Figure 1, it will be apparent that the spring 11 is exerting a pressure on the end of the levers or links 5 and 7, beyond the fulcrum or pin 9, in a direction to swing the forward or toe end of link 5 and link 7 downwardly, to hold the last parts to each other under tension. It will be apparent that when the last parts are being moved from the full-line position of the drawing toward collapsed position, the line of force of the spring 11 will gradually approach the fulcrum 9-in effect gradually shortening the lever arm represented by the distance between the lines a and Z9, the line Z) representing the line of force of the spring 11 while the line a is parallel to the line and drawn through the center of the fulcruin 9. It follows, therefore, that the greatest distance between the lines a and b is when the parts are in the full-line position of Figure 1, and hence the greatest tension under which the last parts are held to each other is when the last is in extended position. This is clearly a novel construction as compared with lasts of the prior art wherein the tension under which the last parts are held to each other is at its greatest when the last parts are in such a position that a line drawn through the centers of the pins by which the usual connecting link is attached to the last parts passes through the axis of the last parts. In other words, I have provided a structure wherein the tension is at its greatest when it should be at its greatest-to-wit, when the last parts are in full extended position, at which time the tension should be such as to prevent accidental collapse of the last. Having the greatest tension when the last parts are in dead center p,ositionso to speak, is, of course, of n0 material advantage so far as preventing collapse of the last is concerned.

It will be seen also that when theJ last parts are in the dotted-line position of Figure l, the lever arm represented by the distance between the lines a and o is longer than when the last parts are in dead center position, and hence the tension under which the last parts are held is at a maximum when the last is collapsed. This struc-ture provides, therefore, maximum tension with the last parts in extended position and in collapsed position.

In Figure 2 I provide an arrangement which is a slight departure from the arrangement shown in Figure 1. Referring to this figure, 13 designates the heel part and 14 the toe part of a last of the divided type, the two last sections being separated by an arcuate cut 15, the center of which is 16. The last parts are attached to each other by two links 17 and 1S, the rear end of the link 17 being pivoted by the pin 19 to the heel part of the last, its forward end extending into the toe part of the last, where it is pivotally attached, as indicated at 20, to the link 1S intermediate the ends thereof. The rear end of the link 18 is pivoted to the toe part of the last, as indicated at 21. It should be observed that the point of connection of the link 18 to the to@ part of the last lie-s between the pins 19 and 20 and also that a line drawn through the centers of the pins 19 and 20, with the last parts in extended position, falls below the axis 16 of the last parts. It should be noted also that when the last is collapsed this line will fall above the axis 16. rIhe link 18 extends beyond the pin 20 and its forward end is engaged by a spring 22 held under compression between the forward end ot the link 18 and a pin 23 extending transversely of the last toe.

With t-he parts in extended position, as shown in `full lines, the spring 22 is exerting pressure on the forward end of the link 18 beyond the tulcrum 21, in a direction to cause the pins 19 and 21 to tend to approach each other, and inasmuch as the centers of these pins lie below the axis 16 the last parts are held in extended position under tension. Then the last is collapsed, the line passing through the centers of the pins 19 and 21 falls above the axle 16, and consequently the spring 22 at this time will be exerting a pressure on the link 18 to cause the pins 19 and 21 to tend to approach each other and thereby hold the last parts in collapsed position under tension.

It will be apparent that in this embodiment of my invention I employ the principle explained in connection with Figure 1, the lever arm to which force is applied by the spring 22 and which is represented by the distance between the lines o and d, is at its greatest length with the last parts in extended position and in collapsed position, and consequently the tension under which the last parts are held is at its maximum with the last parts extended or collapsed.

In Figure 3 another modification oi' my invention has been shown. rIhe same principle, however, is involved in the construction of this last as employed in the lasts of Figures 1 and 2. rIhe last ot this figure comprises a heel part 24 and a toe part 25, divided along an arcuate cut 26, the center of which is 27 and constitutes what I have termed the axis ot the last parts. Pivotally attach-ed to the heel part 24 by a pin 28 is a lever or link 29, this lever extending into the toe part oi' the last, where its forward end is pivotally attached at 30 to a second link 31, this link beingpivotally attached to the toe part ot the last by a pin 32 lo cated intermediate its ends. The end of the link 31 remote from the pin 30 is engaged by a spring 33, always under compression, between the end of the link and a pin 34.

It will be seen that in this embodiment of my invention the fnlcruin 32 lies intermediate the ends of the link 29. It will be seen also that a line drawn through the centers of the pins and 32, which pins constitute the pivotal connection of the links 29 and 31 to the last parts, falls below the axis 27 of the last when the last is extended, and as a consequence the action ot the spring 33 upon the end ot the link 31 beyond the pin 30 is to tend to cause the pins 28 and 32 to approach each other to thereby hold the llast parts in extended position under tension. vWhen the last is collapsed, the line passing through the centers of the pins 28 and 32 falls above the axis 27 and the last parts will be held in collapsed position under tension due to the action of the spring 33.

In this embodiment of my invention it will be apparent that the lever arm represented by the distance between the lines e and j" will be at its greatest length when the last parts are in extended position or in collapsed position, and hence the torce applied by the spring 33 will exe-rt a maximum tension on the last parts when the last is extended and when the last is collapsed.

Referring to Figure 4, I here provide a last comprising a heel part 35 and a toe part 36, divided by an arcuate cut 37. The last of this figure is provided with a bearing pin 37 at the center of the arc 37. A toggle comprising the two links 38 and 39 ties the two last parts together, one end of the link 38 being attached to the heel part by a pin 40, the other end of this link pivoting on the bearing or ulcrum 37 The other link 39, which is located in the last toe, has one end attached to the toe part 36 by a pin 41, the other end pivoting on the bearing1 pin 37. posed that a line drawn through their centers falls below the bearing pin or fulcrum 37 when the last parts are extended and above the bearing pin when the last is collapsed.

To hold the last parts under tension in either collapsed or extended position, I provide a curved link 42 having its heel end pivoting on the pin 40, the other end ot this link or lever extending into the toe part ot the last, where it receives a pin 43 by which this end ot the link is pivotally attached to another link or lever 44, pivotally attached to the lever 39 of the toggle by a pin 45 located intermediate the two ends oi the toggle and in such a position that a line drawn through its center and the center ot the pin 40 will tall below the center of the bearing pin or ulcrum 37 when the last isl extended and above this pin when the last is collapsed. Likewise the centers of the pins 40 and 41 and 40 and 43 will fall below the center oft the pin 37 at the same time. Power is applied to the toe end of the lever 42 by a spring 46 held under compression by a pin 47 passing transversely of the last into the last toe.

In this torni of my invention it will be seen that power is applied to the toggle intermediate the ends thereof through the medium ot' the .spring 46 and the levers or links 42 and 44.

The pins 40 and 41 are so dis- In operation with the last extended, it will be seen that the last parts are held in this position under tension by the spring 46, this spring pressing downwardly on the end of the lever d2, this force being transmitted to the toggle link 39 in a direction to tend to force the toggle link 39 toward the bearing pin or fulcrum 37. In other words, the point or pin 43 is tending to move downwardly to approach the pin Lil; likewise the pin 40 is being forced by the spring 46 through the link l2 to approach the pin 4l. Consequently the two last parts are forced toward each other to hold them in extended position. In collapsed position the centers of the pins 40, il, 43 and l5 lie above the center of the pin 37', so that the spring f6 will cause the last parts to be drawn toward each other to hold the last collapsed under tension.

In this embodiment of my invention it will be seen, therefore, that the lever arm to which force is applied by the spring 46 and represented by the distance between the lines g and 7L, is of its greatest length when the last parts are in extended position, and consequently the last parts will be held under greatest tension when the last is extended. The same thing is true when the last parts are collapsed.

In the last of Figure 5 I provide a toe part and a heel part, 48 and 49, respectively, divided along the arcuate out 50. These two parts are attached to each other by a lever or link 5l, one end of which is pivotally attached to the toe part of the last at 52. The other end of this link extends into the heel part of the last, where it is pivotally connected at 53 to the broadened end of a lever 54, the latter being pivotally attached to the last heel by a fulcrum pin 55. The pins 52 and 55 are disposed relatively so that a line drawn through their centers falls below the axis 56 of the last when the last is extended and above that point when the last is collapsed. rI`he forward end of the lever 5a: extends into the toe part of the last and a spring 57 is interposed between this end of the lever and the lever 5l, this spring being under compression at all times.

VIith the last parts in the position shown in full lines in the drawing, it will be seen that the spring 57 tends to force the forward end of the lever 54; upwardly, and as a consequence the rear end of the link 5l is being forced downwardly, to thereby draw the two last parts together and hold them in extended position under tension.

It will be apparent also that when the last parts are in collapsed or dotted-line position, the action of the spring 57 will hold the last parts in that position under tension also.

In this embodiment of my invention I have provided a collapsible instep 58 attached to the end of the link 51 forward of the pivot 52 by a link 59. With the last in extended position, the instep 58 will be held in its extended position by the link 59. lVhen the last parts are moved to collapsed position, the point of attachment of the link 59 to the link 5l is moved relatively to the last toe to thereby draw the instep down into collapsed position.

In all the embodiments of my invention herein illustrated and described, it will be apparent that I have provided a last structure wherein the last parts are held in extended position and in collapsed position under tension, thereby providing a structure which will successfully withstand accidental collapse or extension of the last parts when the same are in use in the manufacture of shoes. It will be seen also that in my invention I provide a structure in which the force exerted on the last parts to hold the last in extended and in collapsed position is of some magnitude, my improved construction being such, however, that this increase in force is provided without weakening the last. In other words, more power is available for holding the last parts in adjusted position due to my improved structure than is possible in lasts as now manufactured.

It will be seen also that I have provided a last structure wherein the last parts are held in extended position and in collapsed position under greatest tension. In other words, the tension under which the last parts are held to each other when the last is extended or when the last is collapsed, as the case may be, is greater than the tension under which the last parts are held when in an intermediate position.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a last of the divided type and comprising a toe part and a heel part, a link in the heel part and extending into the toe partof the last, a pin for pivotally attaching the rear end of such link to the heel part of the last, a second link within the toe part of the last and having one end thereof attached to said first-named link and having its other end pivotally attached to the toe part of the last, the point of attachment of said lastmentioned link to the toe part lying between the extremities of the first mentioned link, and means for applying pressure to said links at the point of attachment to each other whereby the last parts will be held in extended position and in collapsed position under tension.

2. In a last of the divided type, the combination of a heel part and a toe part, a link having one end pivotally attached to the heel part and having its other end extending into the toe part, a second link having one end thereof pivotally attached to the forward end of the first-mentioned link, a pin for pivotally attaching the other end of the second link to the toe part of the last, said pin lying between the extremities of the irstdnentioned link, a line drawn through the points of attaehmeent of said links to the two last parts falling below the axis of turning of the last parts when the last is extended and above this axis when the last is collapsed.

3. In a last of the divided type, comprising a heel part and a toe part, a link in the heel part and extending into the toe part,

a pin for pivotally attaching said link at one end to said heel part, a second link pivotally mounted in said toe part and adapted to be pivotally connected to said rst mentioned link, and a Coil spring in said toe part secured at one end to said toe part and having its other end adapted to directly exert pressure on said links to hol-d the last parts in extended position and collapsed position under tension.

In testimony whereof, I aliix my signature.

CLINTON M. SEARL. 

